The name, Parliament Piece, originates from the
belief that Henry III's parliament met there in 1266.
It is owned by the Open Spaces Society, which has
leased the site to the District Council for the area to be developed as a nature reserve.
Andy Tasker, director of Warwickshire Wildlife
Trust, said:
"It is essential that small areas like
Parliament Piece are managed for their wildlife value.
“Sadly wildlife is under pressure throughout
our countryside so areas like this in towns provide an important refuge.
“We look forward to working with the District
Council and local people to maintain and enhance Parliament Piece."
Jon Holmes from Warwick District Council's Leisure
and Amenities Department added:
"The Council is really pleased to launch this
new nature reserve, which will be developed to provide a wonderful resource for the people
of Kenilworth.
“I am particularly pleased that the site is
being managed through our partnership with Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.
“This will ensure that the site not only
provides an interesting area for walkers but will create an area rich in wildlife".
Commenting on the launch of Parliament Piece as a
nature reserve, Rodney Legg of the Open Spaces Society said:
"We have worked for many years to ensure that
Parliament Piece remains open to the public and are very pleased that we have been able to
pass its care and management into local hands.
“It provides practical proof that nature
conservation and public access can go hand in hand."
Parliament Piece is the fourth Local Nature
Reserve to be declared in Kenilworth. The land was given to the OSS by the late Miss Helen
Martin of Kenilworth in 1986.
The existing reserves are Kenilworth Common,
Knowle Hill and Crackley Wood. All these sites
are managed through the partnership agreement between Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and
Warwick District Council.
Anyone who is interested in helping Warwickshire
Wildlife Trust care for Parliament Piece is asked to contact the Trust's Reserves Team on
024 7630 8979.
